Question:
I read a Facebook post by another orthodontist which stated that early treatment can prevent the need for permanent teeth extractions. As a mom of four children, I have never heard this before. Is this true?
Answer:
No, this is wishful thinking. There have been multiple studies since this idea was first proposed in the 1980s and early 1990s that show that most of the benefits of early treatment are overstated and overrated. I use the Passive Self-Ligation H-4 System of Braces and I rarely take out permanent teeth. I also rarely recommend early treatment. My advice is to not start early orthodontic treatment on a child to prevent extractions of permanent teeth, as it is inefficient and costly. If you do not want permanent teeth extracted, visit my office.